Deep below Death Valley"s charred surface, blazing hot magma once gushed up through a geologic fault until it hit groundwater. The magma quickly turned the water to steam, and like a defective subterranean pressure cooker, the Earth"s crust blew its top in a ferocious explosion. The hydrovolcanic eruption sent up a mushroom cloud of steam and spewed burnt volcanic cinders for miles. It also left the giant crater seen in this photo and 12 smaller ones spread across the surface.
When Death Valley blew its top
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Great horned owl near Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida
-
In the Supertree Grove
-
National Moth Week
-
Why you should thank a nurse today
-
A long path to freedom
-
International Women s Day
-
A hidden jewel in Croatia
-
Trunks stick together
-
A temple, preserved
-
Atlantic puffins, Wales
-
Diving into World Oceans Day
-
The Lena Delta Wildlife Reserve in Siberia, Russia
-
Almond trees in full bloom, California
-
Glass footbridge in Zhangjiajie, China
-
On the Route of the Waterfalls
-
Happy World Whale Day!
-
Marine Day in Japan
-
A winter light show
-
Mountain mists over Bavaria
-
High alpine color in Colorado
-
Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
-
The Door County Coastal Byway in Wisconsin
-
Happy Halloween!
-
A magnificent monolith
-
World Otter Day
-
Road-trip worthy attraction in the heartland
-
Love blossoms
-
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia
-
World Penguin Day
-
National Poinsettia Day
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

